Bellarine Storm’s US import B’hrea Griffin may miss their first final against Mildura Heat

Bellarine Storm’s US import remains under an injury cloud as they face Mildura Heat in the first week of the finals in division 1 Big V action.

Bellarine Storm’s US import B’hrea Griffin is a 50-50 proposition of fronting for the club’s first final against Mildura Heat on Saturday night.

Griffin injured her ankle in round 14 of Big V division 1 against Chelsea and has not been seen since.

Bellarine coach Tim Sanderson was unsure if Griffin would be available for the match against the Heat at the Bellarine Secondary College on Saturday night.

“That’ll be touch and go, may play, may not,” Sanderson said.

“She’ll be a test later in the week and see how we go.”

However, he said both teams would go into the clash with confidence, with a 1-1 formline against each other in 2023.

B'hrea Griffin injured her ankle against Chelsea in round 14. Picture: Jack Maultby.

Their opening round 7 clash was called off in the third quarter after rain leaked through the roof at the Bellarine school, with the Storm leading 65-43.

Their next meeting in round 15 was a six-point win to the Heat, where Sanderson admits their rivals were “outstanding”.

Kyra Johnson (first in the league for average points, fifth for assists) and Vanessa Power (fourth for average points) were influential with 25 and 19 points respectively, with support from Lara Burrows (15 points).

“To their credit they had a really strong night, they shot the ball really well from the get-go,” he said.

Storm coach Tim Sanderson says there has not been a standout team in division 1 this season. Picture: Alan Barber

“Talking to the coach (James Madigan) afterwards, he said it was probably the best game they played all season.

“Kyra Johnson was fantastic ... she’s a tough cover.

“Vanessa Power’s still as tough as she’s always been in this league.

“Those two have been outstanding all season.”

Despite two previous years that netted just six wins, Sanderson said it was far from a case of “nothing to lose” for the Storm.

“We think it’s an opportunity,” Sanderson said.

“It’s a league where we don’t think there’s an absolute standout team.

“We have beaten every team at least once this season.

“I’m quietly confident, I feel like we’ve got good depth this season.”

Sanderson is buoyed by a strong defensive effort against Melbourne University in the final round, winning 79-59 while getting the edge in boards, 51-41.

He said team defence was strong, with approximately 40 deflections in their back half.

“It was back to being really aggressive on that end,” he said.

“I think we’re in decent shape, we had a really good game last week.

“The confidence is there.

“We’re happy with where our form is at.”

Originally published as Bellarine Storm’s US import B’hrea Griffin may miss their first final against Mildura Heat